Looting Spread to Wuchang:
Many Notable Buildings Burnt Hankow, June 7.
Some 1,600 of the soldiers who were concerned in the looting of Ichang arrived at Hankow this morning, and have been placed in the barracks at Wuchang by orders of the Tuchun, General Wang. It is understood that they will be gradually disbanded.
It appears that these troops were on their way to Hankow with a view to their disbandment. They spent the hours of waiting for the China Merchants' steamer to leave Ichang by going ashore. After a while they started looting, and eventually returned to the steamer with their loot.
The vessel was intercepted during the voyage by orders from the Tuchun that she was to proceed to ea Hankow direct.
June 8: 11.30 a.m.
Local troops at Wuchang last night started looting and burning the city.
It is officially reported that the Mint has been robbed.
According to unofficial reports, the looters reformed patrols at dawn this morning, under a pretence of maintaining order, which they are not doing.
At present Hankow is safe. are reported to have instigated the from Ichang yesterday morning; soldiers of the 2nd Division, who are under the command of Tuchun Wang Chan-yuan. It is said that there are a number of casualties among the civilians and the sol-diary. Owing to the breaking of communications between Hankow and Wuchang,, no definite details have been received yet, but so far as is seen, it seems true that the Government Mint there has been reduced to ashes, and that there are signs of mutiny spreading in Hupeh.
Martial law has now been proclaimed in Wuchang.—Eastern News Agency.
Hankow, June 8.
The outbreak of looting and incendiarism at Wuchang is attributed to the soldiers of the 2ist Brigade, upon their receiving a proclamation announcing their disbandment.
The burning and looting were extensive and systematic, and met with no official resistance, except at the Tuchun's yamen. 2 The first foreign consular party which sought to enter the city was refused admittance, but the second party was allowed to enter.
Trinity School, dri American missionary institution, was wrecked and ransacked. Many Chinese civilians were killed and wounded, but there were no casualties to foreigners.
'Among the buildings destroyed by fire were the Mint, the Government Bank and the National Assembly, together with a number of restaurants and jewellers' shops.
Some of the soldiery who landed at the foreign concessions in Hankow with their loot were arrested by the foreign police. All is quiet, at Wuchang at present, and there is not much alarm at Hankow. The Hankow City troops and police are reported to have been paid $13,000, which is expected to keep them quiet for the time being.—Reuter.
Tucutn Wane 1x 4 TicHr Brace.
Hankow, June 9.
Later reports from Wuchang show that following the riot created by the 2nd Division, the other troops of various places joined in the disturbances. Consequently, Tuchun Wang Chan-yuan is in a tight corner, isolated and thrown upon his own resources. He took refuge on one of his men-of-war at first, but at daybreak, finding that one battalion of the Hupent troops had not participated in the riot, he won them over to his side for the sum of $10,000, and is now endeavouring to restore order.
The cause of the mutiny is said to be the non-payment of soldiers'
Reuter. wages—Eastern News Agency:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.